THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

238 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PAET II. BK V. vi.] THE BOOK OF POETEY. 239
V.
The Hojm szc ; narrative. SOME NOBLE SUFFERING FROM SLANDER,
AND SUSPECTING THAT THE SLANDERER WAS AN OLD FRIEND, IN
TIMATES THE GROUNDS OF HIS SUSPICION, AND LAMENTS HIS CASE,
WHILE HE WOULD WELCOME THE RESTOEATION OF THEIR FOBHEll
RELATIONS.
The Preface assigns this piece to a duke of Soo, who had been slan
dered by a duke of Paou. There can be no doubt there was a State of
Soo within the royal domain, corresponding to the present district of
Wun, department Hwae-k'ing, Ho-nan, the lords of which, viscounts,
were often in the highest positions at court, with the title of Eung, or
duke; and there was probably also a State of Paou. The character
which we read Paou here, however, is different from that which is the
name of the State from which Sze, king Ye'w's favourite lady, came.
1 I ask what man came here.
With treacherous schemes his mind o'erflows.
Why to my dam came he so close.
Nor to the gate drew near ?
Whom 'does he follow as his lord ?
It must be Paou, I'll pledge my word.
2 Companions close are they.
Which was it caused me my disgrace ?
Why shunned he at the dam my face,
Nor kindly word would say ?
Once were we bound with friendship's ties,
While now to stand aloof he tries.
3 I ask what man is he.
Inside my gate, before my hall,
He stood. I heard his footstep's fall,
Though him I could not see.
Unblushingly he breaks man's law,
Nor yet of Heaven stands he in awe.
4 What man behaved so ill ?
Wild as a hurricane his ways !
Or north, or south, he comes as sways
The impulse of his will.
Why to my dam approached he so,
My mind in such distress to throw ?
5 " Too slow ! " is your appeal.
" Too slow,"—and yet you conld not stop !
" In haste," you say.—I saw you drop
The reins, and grease your wheel.
If you would come to me but once !
Why keep me waiting, eyes askance ?
6 Then upon your return
You came not. If you had done so,
My strong desire would no more glow;
My heart would cease to burn.
O come but once ! Vain your excuse !
Why to relieve me thus refuse ?
7 Beads on one string we hung.
If you the earthen whistle blew,
I played the flute of pierced bamboo.
If still you doubt my tongue,
Here are the creatures three, whose blood
Shall seal the oath I take as good !
8 Were you an imp of air,
Or water, you'd be out of reach.
But face to face we stand, and each
Is to the other bare.
In this good song I've freely told
Your changeful ways, now hot, now cold.
VI.
The Eearuj pih ; metaphorical, narrative, and allusive. A EUNUCH,
SUFFERING FROM SLANDEK, COMPLAINS OP HIS FATE, AND WARNS
AND DENOUNCES HIS ENEMIES.
1 A few fine lines, at random drawn,
Like the shell-pattern wrought in lawn
To hasty glance will seem.
My trivial faults base slander's slime
Distorted into foulest crime,
And men me worthless deem.
2 A few small points, pricked down on wood,
May be made out a picture good
Of the bright southern Sieve.
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